Application of CAD/CAM in the design of machining process and tooling devices for flange tube

Recently, computer-aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is largely applied in universal machinery due to the accelerated development of computer technologies. Owing to the technical application of CAD/CAM tool in the manufacturing industry, enterprises have progressively changed their traditional approaches to design and manufacture of products. The CAD module provides product designers with capabilities of designing product model by feature-based design and obtaining product data. The product model is displayed on a screen in the CAD environment before transferring it downstream to the CAM module. This paper presents the application of CAD/CAM in solid modelling, design of machining process, fixture design and virtual manufacture of a flanged tube. Pro/Engineer (Pro/E) Wildfire 4.0 was used to create the three dimensional (3D) model of the flange tube based on its two-dimensional drawing (2D) blank drawing and the mould was designed and created using the same software. The mould creation was based on the clamping and positioning devices of the flange tube being manufactured. The technical schedule of the flange tube was worked out including the choice of machining method, machine tool, cutting tool and selection and computation of machining parameters based on finished drawing the flange tube. Two dedicated fixtures for holding the flange tube in the machine tool were designed and finally Master CAM 9.0 software was applied to the virtual machining of the mould. It is concluded that CAD/CAM tool is important in manufacturing technology as it automates the manufacturing process thereby saving time, energy, cost, and making production highly flexible

Determinants of Firm Growth: The Case of Sachet Water Firms in Minna, Nigeria

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of Entrepreneurial Infrastructure (EI) on the profitability of Sachet Water Firms (SWFs) in Minna. Design/methodology/approach: This was done through the use of personal interviews for the collection of qualitative data from owners/managers of SWFs. The population of the study included all the 165 SWFs in Minna and the sample size was 10 which was determined by interview saturation point. Thematic analysis was used in analyzing the transcribed audio recordings of the interviews conducted. Findings: Findings revealed that there is an EI deficit in Minna, which has led to increased expenses on the provision of alternative EI by SWFs and has increased their operational costs thereby reducing their profitability. Research limitations/implications: Firstly, with thirty-six states in Nigeria, the findings of this study, covering the Capital of only one of the States (Niger) cannot be generalized for the entire country, rather it must be taken within the context of the region covered. Secondly, only one industry out of many that make up the Nigerian economy is selected for investigation. Thirdly, the researcher was faced with the negative attitude of some respondents who were not willing to participate in the research or provide the needed data for analysis. Lastly, not all the SWFs in Minna were included in the study, only those that have operated for up to three years were included. Future studies can bridge these research gaps by carrying out research in other parts of Nigeria on the same subject matter. Practical implications: Findings of this study would be of help to the existing SMEs in Nigeria, particularly the SWFs in further understanding the complexities of the infrastructural challenges militating against their growth and how to overcome them. Originality/value: This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the nexus between EI and the general performance of SMEs. Paper type: Research paper

Examination of Surface Water Along River-Rima Floodplain in Wamakko, Sokoto State, Nigeria

This study examined the hydrochemistry of surface water along the River-Rima floodplain area. Five sampling locations were purposively selected, and, in each point, three samples were taken from surface water (river).The sampling was repeated after 20 days. Thus, a total of 30 samples werecollected. Water samples obtained were subjected to laboratory tests. Results revealed that BOD, TDS, Mg2+, and Fe3+ are above the World HealthOrganization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) reference guidelines for drinking water quality. Isolates detected from the coliform bacteriological analysis include Enterobacter aerogene, Escherichiacoli, and Citrobacter freundii with most of the samples showing coliform bacteria growth above the SON standard for drinking water. Hence, the water in the River-Rima floodplain of the Wamakko area is of low quality and unsafe for drinking. Results of principal component analysis (PCA)revealed external influences such as pollutant wash off and rock weatheringas controls on hydrochemistry of surface water. There is some indication of anthropogenic inputs (Cl- , NO3- , and PO4 2-) based on hierarchical cluster analysis. Elements including Cl-, NO3-, and PO42- are increasingly added into surface water from human activities, mainly agriculture, and municipal sewage

Review of Groundwater Potentials and Groundwater Hydrochemistry of Semi-arid Hadejia-Yobe Basin, North-eastern Nigeria

Understanding the hydrochemical and hydrogeological physiognomies ofsubsurface water in a semi-arid region is important for the effective management of water resources. This paper presents a thorough review of thehydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Hadejia-Yobe basin. The hydrochemical and hydrogeological configurations as reviewed indicated that the Chad Formation is the prolific aquifer in the basin. Boreholes piercing theGundumi formation have a depth ranging from 20-85 meters. The hydrochemical composition of groundwater revealed water of excellent quality,as all the studied parameters were found to have concentrations withinWHO and Nigeria’s standard for drinking water quality. However, furtherstudies are required for further evaluation of water quality index, heavy metal pollution index, and irrigation water quality. Also, geochemical, andstable isotope analysis is required for understanding the provenance of salinity and hydrogeochemical controls on groundwater in the basin

Identification of Medical and Industrial Used Radioisotopes in Mining Sites of Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This research intends to unveil the presence of radioisotopes in the soil of some mining sites in Nasarawa of Nasarawa state using thermos-scientific interceptor (IdentiFINDER). The work aimed at detecting the presence, types and trust level of radioisotopes. The result showed that, 103Pd and 125I were found in 57% of the total points and the percentage abundance of the detector reached 50-65% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 109Cd was found in 15% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 109Cd shows 50% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely to be found in the area, 241Am was found in 7% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 241Am shows 81% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 235U was found in 7% of the total points. The percentage abundance of the detector for 235U reaches 57% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 75Se was found in 7% of the total points. The percentage abundance of the detector for 75Se was in abundance up to 57% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely gotten in the area and 57Co was gotten in 7% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 57Co was 54% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely to be gotten in the area. Based on this high percentage abundance of the detector for these radioisotopes, they can be harnessed and applied appropriately in medicine and industry

Determinants of Firm Growth: The Case of Sachet Water Firms in Minna, Nigeria

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of Entrepreneurial Infrastructure (EI) on the profitability of Sachet Water Firms (SWFs) in Minna. Design/methodology/approach: This was done through the use of personal interviews for the collection of qualitative data from owners/managers of SWFs. The population of the study included all the 165 SWFs in Minna and the sample size was 10 which was determined by interview saturation point. Thematic analysis was used in analyzing the transcribed audio recordings of the interviews conducted. Findings: Findings revealed that there is an EI deficit in Minna, which has led to increased expenses on the provision of alternative EI by SWFs and has increased their operational costs thereby reducing their profitability. Research limitations/implications: Firstly, with thirty-six states in Nigeria, the findings of this study, covering the Capital of only one of the States (Niger) cannot be generalized for the entire country, rather it must be taken within the context of the region covered. Secondly, only one industry out of many that make up the Nigerian economy is selected for investigation. Thirdly, the researcher was faced with the negative attitude of some respondents who were not willing to participate in the research or provide the needed data for analysis. Lastly, not all the SWFs in Minna were included in the study, only those that have operated for up to three years were included. Future studies can bridge these research gaps by carrying out research in other parts of Nigeria on the same subject matter. Practical implications: Findings of this study would be of help to the existing SMEs in Nigeria, particularly the SWFs in further understanding the complexities of the infrastructural challenges militating against their growth and how to overcome them. Originality/value: This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the nexus between EI and the general performance of SMEs. Paper type: Research paper

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among apparently healthy University Students

No Abstrac